right around USC (on hoover) there's the 29th St Cafe, which serves wine and beer as well as a good selection of burgers, salads, sandwiches, etc. there's also the 901 (2902 S Figueroa Blvd), and that's more of a traditional "get wasted" college-student bar. as for downtown, my fave is bar 107 on 4th and main. total hipster dive bar with cheap drinks.